Join the live debate on domestic abuse

To encourage people to think about the issue and to ask
questions, a live debate on domestic abuse is being held on the
Sussex Police website.

A panel of domestic abuse experts will be discussing some of
the more challenging issues and answering questions, which can be
submitted beforehand and during the debate live on Wednesday 5
December from 12 noon to 1pm.

This will be followed by an online chat, similar to
instant messaging, to give people the opportunity to speak to the
panel in more depth and to be able to speak directly to a survivor
of domestic abuse.

Detective Sergeant Lloyd Lewis from
the East Sussex Adult Protection Team, said: "Surprisingly some
people still have little sympathy for victims of domestic abuse who
stay in relationships, believing it is up them to leave or change
the situation.

"In terms of crime, people are far more likely to raise
concerns about robbery, burglary, criminal damage and anti-social
behaviour but are reluctant to report domestic abuse.

"We are holding the live debate to get people
talking about this issue. If people witnessed a crime or saw
someone in need of help, they would report it and we want people to
think about domestic abuse in the same way."

This is part of a number of events Sussex Police and partners
are involved in to mark White Ribbon, the international day for the
elimination of violence against women.

East Sussex Adult Protection Team, which is a team of
specialist detectives responsible for reducing the risk of
harm to victims of domestic have taken to social media to encourage
people to talk about domestic abuse and to report it. You can
follow them on twitter @EastSussexAPT #noexcuse